SF   Just because a CNN journo states an opinion you shoot it...

SF   Just because a CNN journo states an opinion you shoot it down before reading it.   Is that dumb or dumber?  The article is not anti-Trump. Some aspects of Berlinger's OP are naïve IMO but he does cover some of the complexities and alternate views. 

Political confrontation on one front does not imply confrontation on all fronts.  Of course the goal of Xi, Trump and Nguyen will be to showcase the Vietnam model to Kim.  Kim will already know what aspects of the Vietnam model he wants to absorb and whether or not he plays at being superior to his host (I personally doubt it) is neither here nor there.

As posted, the NK  nuke program has arguably outlived its usefulness to China.  It has provided  just cause for major military build-ups by all players in the South China Sea dispute …….. including Vietnam.  China can pull a few strings with Kim noting the importance of all sides saving face.  Xi's behind the scenes influence on NK's roadmap  greatly surpasses anything Kim or Trump have to say to each other on the day, but of course they will shake hands and smile after they do have a discussion.  If Trump gets a political win out of it then so be it.

Put bluntly, everyone needs this showcase to go well.

cheers